Greatest Comedians of All Time

These comedians don't need to be the funniest necessarily (although they can be), but they should be voted up for also having groundbreaking or really intelligent ideas and/or great social,political or religious satire.

The Top Ten

1 George Carlin George Carlin

Well I agree because he always made my parents and grandparents laugh there butts off because made everything that he hates so much funny before Richard Pryor and no offense to Richard Pryor I mean he is so funny I heard a joke from him once while my grandparents were watching it and I sneaked in and it was funny :P the end

Well, obviously he's up here. He was the first comedian to make rants about things that he hated funny

This should be 1 he is so funny - Bubblesbrooks

2 Robin Williams Robin Williams Robin McLaurin Williams was an American actor and comedian. Starting as a stand-up comedian in San Francisco and Los Angeles in the mid-1970s, he is credited with leading San Francisco's comedy renaissance. He died in 2014.

Robin williams is an awesome man.

3 Louis C.K. Louis C.K. Louis Székely, known professionally as Louis C.K., is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, director, and editor.

Words the great ideas he has for jokes perfectly to make them as funny as possible. He is a "comic's comic" and he is just so down to earth and can talk about any subject. I don't agree with 100% of what he says but still is highly intelligent and just a true professional comic. Louie is a great show as well

He is awesome. no more to say

4 Rowan Atkinson Rowan Atkinson Rowan Sebastian Atkinson, is an English actor, comedian, and screenwriter best known for his work on the sitcoms Blackadder and Mr.Bean

Made the world laughter without saying a word

Others are blah,blah,blah...

Yeah he is the BEST! Mr.Bean Rules!

5 Jim Carrey Jim Carrey James Eugene "Jim" Carrey is a Canadian American actor, comedian, impressionist, screenwriter, and producer. He is well known for comedic roles in films such as Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask , Dumb and Dumber, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, The Cable Guy, Liar Liar, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, ...read more.

This guy should be way higher! One of the best comedians of all time

He is a giver. He gives himself all the time.

6 Bill Hicks Bill Hicks William Melvin "Bill" Hicks was an American stand-up comedian, social critic, satirist, and musician.

I always consider Hicks, Carlin and Stanhope to be the big three of intelligent, critical thinkers who should be president. Its too bad that Hick's career was cut short and he didn't survive long enough to see his predictions about the current world we live in be right.

7 Doug Stanhope Doug Stanhope Douglas Gene "Doug" Stanhope is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and author known for his cynical, controversial comedy style and libertarian political views.

Just watch "word of mouth" if you haven't. Its a great starting point to see the brilliance of this guy's work. You just have to watch his stuff cause words can't describe his intelligence and comic ability and why he's the greatest comedian of all time. Keep it up Doug!

8 Chris Rock Chris Rock

This guy is so famous that I don't really have to describe why he is so good but I will anyway. His voice is one of the greatest voices ever, his ideas are just so true and his punchlines can just make an audience of thousands of people go psycho. This is because he builds up to his punchlines for so long that it creates the perfect amount of suspence and anticipation that would make anything he said funny.

9 Andy Kaufman Andy Kaufman
10 Richard Pryor Richard Pryor

Prior is so far beyond anyone else on this list it's hard to give any merit to a list putting him so low on the list.

THIS IS THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME! What an insult you have him down at number 22

Pryor is 1 or 2. Ridiculous.

wow

The Newcomers

? Benny Hill

Oh...I really loved him as a child and when I look back on his genius, I remember that I still do! He's one of the great big leg-ends. Sadly his humour is lost on newer generations. Ah well...their loss. - Britgirl

The Contenders

11 John Cleese John Cleese
12 Steve Martin Steve Martin

How is he not on this list

13 Daniel Tosh Daniel Tosh

This guy is here purely because he is so funny. Some people say "he's not funny, he's just an ass, " well I say to you people, how about you try becoming rich and famous for being an ass. Not so easy is it. I love his jokes but what is even funnier is offended people's reactions to his jokes. He has no boundaries and that's what makes him great. Tosh.0 is also a fantastic show. Keep it up Tosh!

14 Bill Burr Bill Burr William Frederic "Bill" Burr is an American comedian, writer, and actor. He is best known for his stand-up comedy specials.

Just... Just watch his opinion of Yoko Ono and you will see why this guy is amazing haha

15 Ricky Gervais Ricky Gervais Ricky Dene Gervais is an English comedian, actor, director, producer, writer and former singer and manager.

Absolutely hilarious

16 Jerry Seinfeld Jerry Seinfeld

The greatest while using the simplest material!

17 John Oliver John Oliver
18 Rodney Dangerfield Rodney Dangerfield Rodney Dangerfield was an American stand-up comedian, actor, producer and writer, known for the catchphrase, I don't get no respect!, and his monologues on that theme.

No one makes me laugh like Rodney.

19 Larry the Cable Guy Larry the Cable Guy Daniel Lawrence Whitney, known professionally by his stage name Larry the Cable Guy, is an American stand-up comedian, actor, former radio personality and comedian.

That's funny right there, I don't care who ya are!

20 Frankie Boyle Frankie Boyle Francis Martin Patrick "Frankie" Boyle is a Scottish comedian and writer, well known for his pessimistic and often controversial sense of humour.
21 Will Smith Will Smith Willard Carroll "Will" Smith, Jr. born September 25, 1968, is an American actor, comedian, producer, rapper, and songwriter. He is best known for his acting career overall. He has been in many popular movies including, but are not limited to, the Men in Black lineup, Pursuit of Happyness, I am legend, ...read more.
22 Bill Maher Bill Maher William "Bill" Maher is an American comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor, media critic, and television host.

The master of political and religious satire, he is the whistleblower on stupid people and makes smart people think twice about listening to them. The only problem is the lack of range in his subjects but I guess that's completely his choice.

23 Bill Cosby Bill Cosby William Henry "Bill" Cosby, Jr., is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and author. ...read more.
24 Eddie Murphy Eddie Murphy
25 Woody Allen Woody Allen Heywood "Woody" Allen is an American actor, comedian, filmmaker, playwright and musician, whose career spans more than six decades.
26 Patrice O'Neal
27 Chelsea Peretti
28 Michael McIntyre Michael McIntyre Michael Hazen James McIntyre is an English comedian, actor and presenter. In 2012, he was reported to be the highest-grossing comedian in the world.
29 Stephen Colbert Stephen Colbert Stephen Tyrone Colbert is an American comedian, writer, producer, actor, media critic, and television host.
30 Kevin Hart Kevin Hart Kevin Darnell Hart is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Hart began his career by winning several amateur comedy competitions at clubs throughout New England, culminating in his first real break in 2000 when he was cast by Judd Apatow for ...read more.
31 Mike Myers Mike Myers Michael John "Mike" Myers is a Canadian actor, comedian, screenwriter, director, and film producer, who also holds British and American citizenship.
32 Don Rickles

Knowbody even the great comedians an people of his time couldn’t joust back in forth with him

33 Bob Saget Bob Saget
34 Hugh Dennis Hugh Dennis Peter Hugh Dennis is an English comedian, actor, writer, impressionist and voice-over artist, best known for being one half of Punt and Dennis with comedy partner Steve Punt, and playing Pete Brockman, the father in the BBC One sitcom Outnumbered.
35 Jim Jefferies Jim Jefferies Geoffrey James Nugent, known professionally as Jim Jefferies, is an Australian stand-up comedian, actor, and writer.

I'm Australian and I think he's the greatest Australian comedian of all time. His looks and accent make it seem that he's stupid but if you listen to what he says you realise he's one of the smartest people in the world. I love how he can go to the "Jesus Country" aka USA and blatantly abuse religions and religious people. Legit is a great show.

36 Jack Black Jack Black Thomas Jacob "Jack" Black is an American actor, singer, musician and comedian. His acting career has been extensive, starring primarily in comedy films. Black is the lead vocalist of the comedic rock group Tenacious D, which he formed in 1994 with friend Kyle Gass. They have released the albums Tenacious ...read more.
37 Tim Allen Tim Allen

Funny funny funny

38 Jonathan Winters

Best improv

39 Jimmy Kimmel
40 Nick Kroll
41 Jo Brand
42 Bernard Manning
43 Charlie Chaplin Charlie Chaplin Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE was an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the silent era.

Was the first great comedian in the world! We should respect him for his tramp character! His greatest film The Gold Rush watch it and enjoy!

He practically invented modern American comedy!

44 David Spade David Spade
45 Al Madrigal
46 Bo Burnham Bo Burnham Robert Pickering Burnham is an American comedian, musician, singer, songwriter, rapper, actor, and poet.
47 Harry Hill Harry Hill Harry Hill is an English comedian, author and television presenter best known for narrating You've Been Framed!
48 Joan Rivers Joan Rivers Joan Alexandra Molinsky, better known as Joan Rivers, was an American comedian, actress, writer, producer, and television host noted for her often controversial comedic persona - where she was alternately self-deprecating or sharply acerbic, especially toward celebrities and politicians.
49 Kathleen Madigan
50 Jimmy Carr Jimmy Carr James Anthony Patrick "Jimmy" Carr is an English stand-up comedian, television host and actor, known for his signature laugh, deadpan delivery, dark humour, and use of edgy one-liners.
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List Stats

200 votes
78 listings
4 years, 282 days old

Top Remixes (9)

1. Rowan Atkinson
2. John Cleese
3. John Oliver
Euan16
1. Will Smith
2. Chris Rock
3. Robin Williams
YanRocky
1. Larry the Cable Guy
2. Stephen Colbert
3. Rodney Dangerfield
Jhopps

WRemix
View All 9

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